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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
Earlier this week, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) convened a panel discussion to highlight the power of the Latino vote and the potentially game-changing role that Hispanic voters will play in the upcoming midterm elections. The event, which also featured leading national experts from Latino Decisions, Voto Latino and the Center for American Progress, looked at the major races where Latino turnout will be key to deciding who wins.
“There is a misconception that Latinos won’t matter this election cycle because it’s a midterm election and they are apathetic toward both parties,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. We are continuing to grow our voting numbers in areas where critical races could be determined by less than a 1 percent margin of victory. How candidates engage in outreach toward our community and handle issues important to Latinos, such as immigration, will undoubtedly impact this high-stakes election cycle in which both parties are fighting for control of the Senate.”
Analysis from Latino Decisions shows that Hispanic voters have the potential to decide 24 races for the House of Representatives, based on calculations for races where the population of eligible Latino voters is greater than the 2012 margin of victory. They also have the potential to influence four tossup Senate races this election cycle—in Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina and Georgia—along with races for governor in nine states, including Illinois and Florida. One state that demonstrates the potential impact of the Latino vote is Kansas, where the Latino population has grown 143 percent and Hispanics now compose 5.5 percent of all eligible voters, making a difference in the state’s election outcomes.
“It is a myth that Latinos won’t matter and, in fact, they have many opportunities to be a critical electorate in 2014,” said Matt Barreto, Co-Founder of Latino Decisions. “However, both parties need to increase investment in Hispanic outreach and mobilization and take meaningful steps to address Latino policy priorities. Republicans and Democrats have room to improve with Latino voters, especially when it comes to the issue of immigration.”
There are more than 12 million active Latino voters, and more than 900,000 Latino citizens turn 18 and become eligible to vote every year. However, more than 11 million Latinos are currently eligible to vote but inactive. To help close this gap, NCLR and the Mi Familia Vota Education Fund launched a joint campaign, “Mobilize to Vote 2014,” aimed at registering tens of thousands of new Hispanic voters in 2014.
“Latinos will play a key role in many elections this cycle, but if we want our voices to be heard in our state capitals and in Washington, D.C., then we need to boost our turnout,” added Murguía. “Potential translates to power only when we get registered and cast our ballots on Election Day. This November, we need to build on our record turnout in 2012 and send a clear message that the Latino vote and Latino voters matter in every election cycle. We must register, vote and participate.”
To register today, visit www.nclr.us/register.
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